Chapter 3

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Time passed and they were close to starting their senior year of high school when Taehyung was hit by his first heat. Jungkook and Jimin of course had both been there, taking care of him, feeding him and especially letting him nest with their clothes. Overall it had been a pretty alright experience. Taehyung hadn't felt as lonely as it was often described by partnerless omegas, probably thanks to his friends, who had been the perfect boyfriend substitutes, so he really couldn't complain.

Also it hadn't been too much of a surprise that he had presented first either. After all he had obviously started developing omega features over the last months. The most obvious... sex eyes, as Jimin had described it. Apparently he constantly looked like he was flirting with anyone he just laid his eyes on, which had let to a couple of awkward situations in which Jimin had been forced to act like Taehyung's boyfriend just to scare off a horny alpha.

It didn't just go over the other two's heads either, but they tried to ignore just how fucking attractive Taehyung had become over the last couple of months while both of them still looked like fucking children.
But things didn't stay that way all too long because one day to another Jungkook suddenly started to change.

Within three months time his height suddenly doubled. Both Taehyung and Jimin had to spend long evenings massaging him with muscle oil, just to stop some of the growing pain, while Jungkook whined and groaned about how much he hated his body. The weirdest part was, Jungkook... the Jungkook, who'd always clung to them whenever they had watched a horror movie, the Jungkook who was too scared to go to the bathroom alone at night, the Jungkook whose parents were actually both alpha females but had accepted that Jungkook was likely going to be an omega since there was not a bone of alpha in his body, was slowly turning into something that closely resembled an alpha.

He was tall now. The same size as Taehyung, but where Taehyung had curves and long legs, Jungkook had muscle. The boy had always been mainly muscle, but when he had been that small it just hadn't been that noticeable. But now that he wasn't anymore, neither Taehyung nor Jimin could get used to it.

It was just such a weird feeling to be half crushed in hugs with their tiny Jungkookie.

One day, when Jungkook was at home studying and Taehyung and Jimin were hanging out at Jimin's place, Taehyung finally asked the question that had been at the back of his mind for some time now.

"You think Jungkookie might present as an alpha?" Taehyung asked it in such a casual way that, if Jimin hadn't known him all that well, hadn't noticed the way he clenched his hand around the remote and how tense his jaw was, maybe he would have thought he actually wasn't bothered by it.

"I mean... does it matter? It's Jungkook, one way or another. Of course he looks different now... but his eyes are the same. The same sparkle. He asked me to watch Spongebob with him yesterday and almost choked at 'no, this is Patrick' sooo I'd say he's still the same and hasn't been abducted by aliens and switched out." Jimin tried, moving closer towards Taehyung, who was staring blankly at the television.

"I know that... It's just so... weird. I know he's still the same, but whenever he hugs me, part of me wants to let him hug me and hold me... It's supposed to be the other way around. I'm the one that should hug him and take care of him, but something inside of me just..." Taehyung clearly felt embarrassed at what he was feeling. He'd never been too fond of the whole alpha omega dynamic and now he was confronted with it in situations that had never been affected by dynamics before because he had always assumed they'd all be omgas.

He'd always loved hugging Jungkook, but now it just felt off. It was different. Too different. "...just wants to submit to him. That's Jungkook. Why would I want to submit to him? The three of us have always been just the three of us. Equals. Even if we kinda baby Jungkook, both you and I are aware of all the things he's amazing at. He's like a child of wonder. But he's also my baby to take care of. How am I supposed to protect him if he actually can fend for himself?" Taehyung frowned, leaning his head against the wall.

"Let the boy grow up. Jungkook won't always be your small baby and come on, let's be real. He'll still ask for his cuddles."

Taehyung pressed his lips into a thin line. "He hasn't asked me in weeks. I don't get it. He always asked me... what if he's really changing and growing up?"

Jimin shook his head. "He isn't, trust me. He still comes to me... wanna know why he hasn't asked you?"

Taehyung nodded and Jimin sighed, moving a bit closer, carefully grabbing Taehyung's hands, forcing him to really look at him.

"You're treating him differently now. Even I can tell. You just seem more careful, even if you try not to let it show. And you know how sensible Jungkook is. A bit of scolding and he'll feel bad for weeks."

Taehyung let out a deep sigh, training his eyes on the floor. "I know. I've just had a hard time looking him in the eye recently."

"You're making him feel like he has done something wrong... or worse, like there's something wrong with him. He's been coming to me for extra cuddles for weeks. Didn't you say you'd protect him from anything bad?" Jimin tilted his head to the side, patting Taehyung's knee.

"Yeah, I said that. And I mean that. I just always felt like he'd present as an omega and then I'd get to protect and take care of him... make sure he doesn't end up in some bad alpha's hands. And now it's just... so different. There's no need for me to protect him anymore."

"There still is. Jungkook is still the same adorable, naïve, simple minded boy. As I said, the only things that have changed recently are because he is fucking sensible and you have been... kind of a bitch to him. All distant. Remember when we went to his place a while back and you didn't hug Jungkook as a greeting? You always hug him." Jimin scolded, his hand still soothingly running over Taehyung's leg. "I'm not trying to make you feel bad. Just to make a point. Jungkook has started cuddling me twice as often since you started avoiding him. Don't do that. Give him a chance."

"I know. I know. I want to. It's just so unfamiliar..." Taehyung sighed tiredly before closing his eyes.

"It's worth it. Or do you want to lose Jungkook?" Jimin tried again and Taehyung's reaction was just as intense as he'd hoped for. The younger quickly shook his head, his hands tensing around his legs. "Never. He's my world. You both are."

"Then try. Even if he is going to present as an alpha. That doesn't change anything." Jimin tried. "He's so sweet, even now. I... know what? He sent me a message yesterday. It's the dumbest, most adorable shit. He's too innocent for his own good. But you have to promise me you won't tell him I showed you." In a swift motion Jimin grabbed his phone and handed it to Taehyung after opening the messenger app.

Jungkook
Hyung

Jungkook
I think I'm going to die

Jungkook
For real

Jimin
Is this a joke?

Jimin
Because if it is it isn't funny

Jungkook
It isn't!

Jungkook
I have this thing on my body

Jungkook
Like this bump

Jungkook
And it hurts

Jungkook
When I looked that up all the sites I went to told me I should go see a doctor

Jungkook
And that I have cancer

Jungkook
Jimin I have cancer

Jimin
What

Jimin
No that can't be

Jimin
Me or Tae would have noticed if there were some weird bumps on your body

Jungkook
It's new and you wouldn't have seen it

Jimin
Why?

Jungkook
It's on my dick

Jungkook
Like the lower part

Jungkook
Should I send you a picture?

Jimin
NO

Jimin
That's something you only send to people you want to sleep with

Jungkook
But I want to sleep with you?

Jimin
Not that kind

Jungkook
Oh sex

Jungkook
But you have seen me naked

Jimin
That was a while ago

Jimin
Anyways you don't have cancer

Jimin
That's puberty

Jimin
Just your body preparing to present

Jimin
Nothing to worry about too much

Jungkook
How is that puberty?

At that point Taehyung stopped reading and put the phone down, making eye contact with Jimin for a long ten seconds. "He's going to present as an alpha, isn't he? That's the knot forming?"

"I'm assuming it is. But you did read this, right? He gets his knot and assumes he's going to die. Are you really worried he'll not need you anymore? You see how helpless he is. He needs you... and me. He needs both of us, especially considering he's going to be presenting as an alpha when he's spent all his life preparing to present as an omega."

Taehyung sighed, rubbing his eyes. Apparently Jungkook was really going to present as an alpha. What a weird thought. "You're right... as always, you're right. How about we get some pastries and then go surprise Jungkook?"

A/N

Anyone wanna chat with me? I like talking to a bunch of different ppl<3